Here's a problem I am wondering if anyone else has had a similar issue.

My vette: 1996 LT1 Automatic. Unmolested all original as far as I know. 81,000 miles. F45 Real Time Damping Suspension. Bose Stereo. All factory original.

When I accelerate, the cassette player gets noticiably louder and when I declerate it gets softer. Today, when I came to a complete stop, the cassette player volume went completely off. Cassette player still running. As I accelerate, the volume increases back to normal. It also does this to a lesser degree with the CD player. I have always assumed this was related to the voltage regulator.

I also have an intermittent "Service Ride Control" light that comes on typically when I start the car cold. This light will stay on for anywhere from 2 seconds (as it should) to 10 minutes. Usually a couple minutes, but ultimately always goes off. Occasionally, it doesn't come on at all.

Now I jumpered the DLC Connector and the RTD System is throwing DTC 61 giving me the "Service Ride Control" light. It also shows the code has gone to history. Which it does becasue eventually it always goes off. No other codes are thrown.

DTC 61 is the right front position sensor out of range. I checked the sensor for obvious damage, lubbed the little rod etc. Unplugged and replugged the connector. Outwardly it appears to be working correctly. According to the service manual, DTC 61 is thrown when the RTD module senses the position sensor voltage under 0.35 V or over 4.75 V for more than 1 second. DTC 61 turns history when the voltage is back in the correct range.

There are a littany of tests to perfrom, some I was able to and some I believe I would need the GM Tech 2 for. So I was never sure exactly where this problem could be. I assumed it is most likely a bad right front position sensor.

It is possible for the "Service Ride Control" light to come on for Battery feed, System ground, and Ignition feed. But no codes will be thrown. I have always reset the code and the light comes on it is always DTC 61 when I go back to check.

However, today when I was driving and listening to the cassette, the volume went down to zero as I came to a stop. Lo and behold the "Service Ride Control" light pops on. I accelrate the volume starts coming back up and the light goes off. It did this twice in a row. I have also noticed in the past, the "Service Ride Control" light has come briefly like that before at low speeds. However, I never noticed anything with the stereo volume and likely had the stereo either off or turned down low.

I have no other electrical issues with the car. A few weeks back, the battery went dead. However, I believe an interior light was left on. I jumped the battery and have not had a problem since. Nor did I have a problem with the battery prior. The gauge shows 14.1 to 14.3 volts when driving. 14.0 volts when idling. The headlights or dash lights do not get brighter or dimmer when I rev the engine.

I feel I have zeroed in on the problem for both the stereo volume and "Service Ride Control" light and they both appear to be related to the voltage regulator. But I am not 100% sure.

My question is there anyone in this forum who has had a similar problem? Any info would be appreciated.

 

I checked the voltage on the battery at rest and with the engine running. 12.5V and 14.4V with the engine running and the AC running. So that eliminates the Voltage Regulator being the problem.

Volume issue is SCV. Speed Control Volume. The dial around the volume control. It increases/decereases the volume to compensate for noise, etc. Now I know what the SCV is for on the volume dial.

Back to square one with the Service Ride Control light. I feel a little stupid, however, I am sure glad I didn't start tearing the alternator apart or replace the alternator. Maybe not so dumb afterall.

 

Try taking the Ride Select switch out of the console and take it apart.. Watch out for the small spring in there though... My 96 LT1 also had the light on for the Ride Control.. The switch is really nothing more than a circuit card with resistors, and there is a ring attached to the **** that presses on the traces of the board. Found massive corrosion and bad traces on mine. Bought a new (used) switch. Problem solved..

 

Thanks, JM. I was wondering if that switch could be the source. I will check it and post my find. That will be my next thing to check.

 

I pulled the Ride Control from the switch pack. Other than a light patina on the copper, there was no significant corrosion or wear. I did find a metal clip rattling around inside of it. It must have fallen in there when someone took off the ****.

I looked at the circuit board and resistors under 10X magnification and the dial contact points were not worn through and the resisitors did not have any obvious signs of distress.

I checked the resistance of the four resistors: R1=50 Ohms, R2= 84 Ohms, R3=166 Ohms, R4 = 530 Ohms. So none of them were blown. I could have checked the resistance based on the color coding on the resistor, but didn't and just assumed the resistance was where it should be.

I put it all back together and basically nothing really has changed. It seems the light goes off and little quicker. But that could be my imagination.